Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

4 Comments on More Q & A!

I have only discovered this treasure trove that you call a blog today, but have been engrossed in reading it. Thank you for what you are offering to those of that are called to protect and defend our beautiful faith. I just finished watching your webinar on New Translation of the Roman Missal, and am wondering where I can find the pdf file you spoke of? Thanks, again, for all you do and share!

Hi Aspen, good question. Lent began in the early church as the final intense preparation period for catechumens before baptism at the Easter Vigil. It made sense for the rest of the Christian community to walk this journey with the catechumens and renew their baptism at Easter as well. Thus, Lent has come down to us as a period during which we focus on what it takes to follow Christ and to practice the 3 disciplines that help us to live out our baptism: prayer, fasting, and giving alms. Suffice to say, Lent has no meaning apart from baptism!